Investing.com - The U.S. and Canada could not reach a trade agreement Friday, but negotiations will to continue to bring Canada into a trilateral deal that includes Mexico.
"Today the President notified the Congress of his intent to sign a trade agreement with Mexico - and Canada, if it is willing - 90 days from now," U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer said in a statement.
Lighthizer spoke after the Wall Street Journal reported, citing sources, that talks had broken up with no deal and that U.S. President Donald Trump was prepared to go ahead with a revision of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) with just Mexico.
"The agreement is the most advanced and high-standard trade agreement in the world," Lighthizer said. "Over the next few weeks, Congress and cleared advisors from civil society and the private sector will be able to examine the agreement. They will find it has huge benefits for our workers, farmers, ranchers, and businesses."
"We have also been negotiating with Canada throughout this year-long process," Lighthizer said. "This week those meetings continued at all levels. The talks were constructive, and we made progress. Our officials are continuing to work toward agreement. The USTR team will meet with (Canada's) Minister Freeland and her colleagues Wednesday of next week."